Rehabilitative Services (DRS) Blind Services (DBS) Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS)

What is DRS? Department of Rehabilitative Services We are a Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Our goal is to help individuals who have a physical or mental disability prepare for, find, and maintain employment. You MUST have a disability that has already been diagnosed.

Definition of Disability An individual with a disability is a person who: - has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities - has a record of such an impairment - is regarded as having such an impairment.

Our Primary Goal…. …is to remove the applicants impediment to employment and assist them with preparing for, obtaining, and/or maintaining employment.

What is needed to be in place before applying? Child Care (if applicable) Stable Living Environment (Housing and/or support) Transportation (must have permanent reliable transportation) Disability must be stable (i.e. must be released by doctor to prepare for or engage in employment. Also, you will need to be following your doctors treatment recommendations) Commitment (desire to follow your plan for employment) Positive Attitude!!!!

What we can do Provide services that will assist you in preparing for, obtaining, or maintaining employment. Each client will receive individual services based on his/her needs and disability. - Example: (hearing aids, prosthetics, medical restoration, counseling, etc.)

Financial Information DARS collect financial information for some services. If your net income or liquid assets exceed DARS-DRS basic living requirements (BLR) then you must participate in the cost of services unless an exception has been granted by DARS-DRS management. An applicant’s eligibility for VR services does not depend on the his/her income or liquid assets. If you feel income might be a barrier, please go ahead and discuss with counselor at application.

What we do not do Pay clients while they are in training Pay for rent, utilities, car payments, etc. Assist people with obtaining promotions

What We Are Not Emergency Services Crisis Intervention Financial Aid

Application Meeting Bring the following items: - your Driver’s license, Texas ID, or Student ID card - Social Security Card - copy of last pay stub/or parents’ last paystub or income information - SSI/SSDI award letter; Medicaid or Medicare - any current medical records or reports you have - names and addresses of any doctors you have seen recently - 2 contacts information (names, address, #)

Application Meeting You will meet with a counselor to discuss your individual disability and how it affects your ability to work. Other areas that will be discussed will be your prior work history, your education and financial situation as well as your vocational interests.

Eligibility DRS is given 60 days to determine your eligibility for our services. During this time, we will be requesting your school, medical records, and scheduling appointments for diagnostic evaluations. (Should we determine that these evaluations would be beneficial) You would not be required to pay for any evaluations. Payment will be the responsibility of DARS.

Eligibility Criterion The applicant must have a physical or mental impairment. The physical or mental impairment must constitute or result in a substantial impediment to employment. The applicant requires VR services to prepare for, obtain, or maintain an employment outcome consistent with the consumer's strengths, capabilities, interests.

Eligibility (cont.) If you receive social security and proof is obtained to confirm this, you are presumed eligible for services. Once presumed eligible DARS will still need to request records regarding your disability or possibly send you for assessments before proceeding with your case You are not required to receive social security to be eligible for services.

Eligibility Decision must be determined by the 60 th day—but doesn’t always take the full 60 days

Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) If determined eligible for services, a plan of services will be determined that will help you to prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. Once IPE is completed you will start your services that you and your counselor agreed upon in order to reach your employment goal.

Communication It is very important for you to keep your counselor updated and maintain contact. If you are experiencing problems or have concerns, please let your counselor know as he/she may be able to assist. It is very important that you keep all appointments. Please let your counselor know if you can’t make it to one.

Short-term Training Options Hands on Education – Culinary, Housekeeping, Laundry, Store Room Receiving, Engineering/Maintenance, Cafeteria attendant, PBX Operator Walgreens-distribution center/customer service Launchability- Stocking, Delivery, Food Services, Housekeeping, Customer Service, Environmental Service, Clerical/Office, Patient Support/Escort Cowboys Stadium- food cart attendants

Successful Closure This means that you have maintained employment for at least 90 days since your last substantial services and are stable on the job. This shows that you kept your agreement with DRS for providing the services you received to obtain and maintain employment This is also important as this is how our agency received funding to help you and to help others in the future.

Unsuccessful If you are unable to complete services, or if you do not follow through on responsibilities, then you may be required to return all items that were purchased for you for employment purposes.